In the world of miniature building and model building, mini power tools prove to be necessary. Mini micro-power tools are used for precision activities, like building model trains, cars, ships, planes, and dollhouses. Other activities like jewelry making, camera, and gun repair, and maintenance of musical instruments also need the use of tiny power tools. The most popular are handheld oscillating and rotary tools, which have different accessories and attachments that work for any smaller or miniature projects.
There are also versatile power tools that cut, grind, drill, carve, and do other tasks. Whether you’re a model-building hobbyist, here are some mini micropower tools that you can use:
Mini Table Saws
Table saws are the workhorses of any woodworker’s workshop, but a full-sized table saw can be too expensive and huge for anybody who needs something for small craft projects and hobby works. That’s where mini table saws can be of use. They are compact, light, mobile, and will cost you less than a larger model.
A mini table saw uses a 4-inch-diameter circular saw blade, which is about half the size of a standard table saw blade. It’s great for cutting wood molding, plastics, and picture frames. It comes with a miter gauge for cutting precise angles and two miter slots. Just like its full-size version, the mini table saw comes with a blade guard for safety.
Rockwell RK7323 BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw
The Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw is a great portable saw, which is a fantastic solution to the problem of having to take materials back to the workshop to cut, then bring them back to the job site. This is a 4-in-1 power tool that can serve as a table saw, a miter saw, a jigsaw, and a scroll saw since five different blades are included. This table saw can do light to moderate cutting of wood, ceramic tiles, PVC pipe, steel, and aluminum.
It comes with a hold-down guard and splitter, allowing for work with wider materials. It also has a larger rip fence than other portable table saws, offering better control and more accurate cuts. With its adjustable gauge, you can pull off precise miter cuts for a whole assortment of woodworking projects. It has onboard storage that can secure a rip fence, miter gauge, and extra blades. Its dust port can be hooked to a vacuum cleaner for easy clean-up after work.
DEWALT DWE7485 Compact Table Saw for Jobsite
If you’re looking for a professional-level machine, you’ll get the best value from this Dewalt Table Saw. For one, Dewalt has a superior reputation as one of the premier brands in the power tool industry, and this product is suitable for semi-industrial use. This saw can cut through 4×8 plywood and OSB sheets. It also has a rugged design with a metal roll cage to ensure durability.
This table saw offers an adjustable speed motor, running at speeds up to 5.800 RPM. This also comes with an adjustable miter gauge and rip fence, as well as a push stick, kickback pawls, and all the wrenches you need for changing the blades. It also has onboard storage that provides easy access to your needed components and push stick when not in use.
Mini Lathes
Lathes are indispensable tools in woodworking and metalwork projects. It allows you to perform various tasks using metal and wood without much of a hassle. It can be used for shaping, drilling, sanding, turning, knurling, cutting, and deforming, But standard metal lathes are incredibly expensive since they are typically used for industrial applications. If you’re a hobbyist or a professional looking for a lathe but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, a mini metal lathe is what you need.
Grizzly G8688 Mini Metal Lathe
Grizzly G8688 Mini Metal Lathe is constructed from incredibly durable, high-quality components. If you don’t have previous experience using full-size metal lathes, this one is great for beginners. For starters, this machine comes with a ¾ HP motor, allowing it to generate enough power to allow you to push the variable spindle to speeds of up to 2,500 RPM.
Another thing to love about it is its ease of operation. It has a reverse switch to make it move both forward and reverse directions, so you work with your dominant hand. This mini lathe has the right size to handle most projects comfortably.
BestEquip Mini Metal Lathe 7″ x 14″
BestEquip has four mini metal lathe models available within one series. This particular model is one of the more cost-effective ones out of the bunch. But the smaller size and lower price tag don’t mean it’s not as high-quality as its siblings – it can be used for many tasks, such as processing samples and mini precision parts and modeling projects. Equipped with nylon gears, this lathe machine is wear-resistant and sturdy.
This model has a change direction key included, which can be used in both forward and reverse motions. It includes 18 threads and an automatic adjustable feed. Its on-and-off switch is very accessible, plus it has an emergency shutdown feature for increased safety. It can achieve different positions for internal cutting, face cutting, and bevel cutting by adjusting the tool post angle and compound rest.
Mini Drills
When working with miniature items like jewelry, a mini drill helps provide accuracy. Many models have different speeds and fit the smallest of drill bits. It can do more than just drill holes – with the right technique, and it can be used to sand down rough edges, saw a pattern, and add jump rings to pendants.
A mini drill with a cast iron base is more likely to remain sturdy during operation than a model with a lighter material as its base.
SPTA Mini Electric Grinder Set Mini Handle Electric Drill
The SPTA Rotary Drill offers a wide application and is suitable for a variety of jewelry crafts like drilling, cutting, grinding, or engraving pieces. It is slim and lightweight, and its pen-like appearance has some edge when it comes to detailed finessing. The 6-speed adjustment is the highest so far, and you can rely on a smooth transition between different surfaces, depths, and patterns.
This mini electric drill is gripped like a pen for precision work and like a hammer for rough work. Besides drilling, it can be used for grinding, carving, cutting, polishing, and engraving. Or smoothing workpieces. It’s suitable for use with wood, metal, plastic, jewelry, aluminum, and modeling clay.
KeShi Cordless Rotary Tool
The KeShi Cordless Rotary Tool is an excellent investment for jewelry enthusiasts and those who like to make DIY crafts. This model offers one of the lower-priced, battery-powered models with a 3.7-volt battery system, which is strong enough to last for 90 minutes and needs only two hours of charging. It has three-speed settings that can operate from 5,000 to 15,000 RPM.
The full accessory kit comes with 42 attachments, making it versatile to use for multipurpose functions.
Comparison
| Rockwell RK7323 BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw | DEWALT DWE7485 Compact Table Saw for Jobsite | Grizzly G8688 Mini Metal Lathe | BestEquip Mini Metal Lathe 7" x 14" | SPTA Mini Electric Grinder Set Mini Handle Electric Drill | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 16.1” x 17.5” x 8.3” | 22.75” x 22.75” x 13” | 13” x 30.25” x 13” | 29.4” x 8.7” x 10.8” | 180 mm |
| Maximum Speed | 3,000 RPM | 5,800 RPM | 2,500 RPM | 2,500 RPM | 14,000 RPM |
| Weight | 17 lbs. | 54 lbs. | 90 lbs. | 102 lbs. | 9.9 ounces |
| Power | 5.5 amps | 15 amps | - | - | - |
| Voltage | 120 Volts | 110 Volts | 110 Volts | 110 Volts | 120 Volts |
| Power Source | Battery | Corded electric | - | - | Corded electric |
| Inclusions | Rip fence, miter gauge, five blades, onboard storage | Rip fence, miter gauge, push stick, 1 blade, non-thru cut riving knife, blade change wrenches, modular guard system | chip pan, backsplash guard, 3-jaw chuck with external jaws | backsplash guard, 3-jaw self-centering chuck, emergency stop button | 5 grinding stones, 5 collets, 3 sanding sleeves, 2 diamond burrs, 4 mandrels, 3 drill bits, 1 saw blade, 1 sanding drum, 2 felt wheels |
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| KeShi Cordless Rotary Tool | |
|---|---|
| Size | Not specified |
| Maximum Speed | 15,000 RPM |
| Weight | 7.8 ounces |
| Power | - |
| Voltage | 3.7 volts |
| Power Source | Battery-powered |
| Inclusions | 3 collets, 1 mandrel, 1 drill head, 1 polishing drum, 24 sanding bags, 6 grinding stones, 5 diamond tip bits, and an attachment storage case |
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